Ashley's POV:The whole car ride is like a journey to hell for me, but I somehow manage to keep my calm and maintain my composure.I know I need to let everything out of my heart, or the fire inside me is going to destroy everything around me… But as much as these feelings are suffocating me, I also know that I can't do anything right now… I have to wait till I reach a place of solitude and silence.Or else, the scream of my pain has the potential to deafen everyone, who might come in contact with it.I step into the house, thinking that loneliness will be the one to greet me… but to my surprise, Ethan's presence is the one to welcome me, accompanied by the sharp smell of alcohol. “Ash… Ashley… sweetheart! You know how special you are for me? Without you, I won't be able to find my love back… no back… yes back–”“Ethan!? You okay??Not really …I need…I need…”He stood up from the chair, grabbing the bottle from the counter with one swipe of his hand, and started to walk towards me w
Ashley's POV: The heat between our bodies is almost unbearable. I slide my hands down his chest, along the smooth surface of his muscles, then lower, to the buckle of his belt. My fingers work quickly, while his hands are on my hips, steadying me. I pull the belt free, tossing it aside. Ethan reaches out to help, but I shake my head sternly. “Let me…” I whisper, and he leans back slightly, giving me space as he lifts his hips up. I quickly unbutton his jeans and pull down the zipper. I can see the outline of his arousal, straining against the fabric of his boxers… just the sight of it is enough to make me feel a rush of wetness. I know that if I start now, I won't be able to stop myself… and I really don't want to stop. Because when I'm with Ethan, he is all I see… think… feel. He is all that I can focus on. I pull down his boxers until he is fully exposed to me, and I glance up at him, meeting his gaze. Without breaking eye contact, I lean down, my lips brushing against the ti
Ashley's POV:I don't know how these ten days have passed by so quickly; today is the day of the press conference, and after this, the production will officially start on my dream project. It may seem like these days have passed without a hitch, but the reality couldn't be farther than this. Because there hasn't been a single day when I haven't waited for the unknown person, who has claimed the secrets behind my parents death… but there has clearly been no sign of any communication being established.Although I remember his words very clearly, that I should not make the mistake of texting him back or trying to call him, but still, I had tried once…only to find that the number does not even exist. This can't be real…not in any universe!I mean, how is it possible that the number through which I have received all these messages, has never been issued under anyone's name! And if this is indeed possible, then how did he contact me on that day… there isn't any way where I could be hall
Ethan's POV:Ever since the moment my eyes have seen the message and my brain has deciphered its meaning, my heart has started a marathon I never even knew it was capable of running.I read it again, just to be sure. Emily: “Ethan can we meet today? Please.”And again…Emily: “Ethan can we meet today? Please.”And again, just one more time.Emily: “Ethan can we meet today? Please.”Okay, so I am not hallucinating, there really is a message on my phone, because she really has texted me. She has asked me if we can meet or not.She has requested to meet me, and not only that, she has used the word please in the end… it means she doesn't want me to cancel this plan at any cost.She knows that if she asks me for anything, I will give it to her without any delay. And when she uses the word ‘please’, she can have both my kidney and my heart, without even needing to say anything further.I text her back, I have already wasted more than enough time in realizing what is fact and what is fictio
Ethan's POV:Emily just smiles, her elbows folded on the table as she gazes at me with that familiar, disarming look. I search her eyes, trying to find the right words to bridge the gap that three years have mapped between the two of us. But before I can speak, the waiter steps up to our table, his presence bursting my bubble.“Good afternoon,” he begins, a polished tone in his voice. “Today’s specials include a roasted lamb with rosemary, a mushroom risotto, and brisquette with a lemon butter sauce—”I clear my throat, interrupting his spiel and wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible. “I’ll have an espresso, and for ma'am, get a mint iced tea and salmon fillet with its usual accompaniments. Oh, and also bring a side of sautéed bell peppers…”The waiter nods, jotting down our order, when a memory hits me unexpectedly: Ashley’s face, pale and panicked, the way she was gasping for breath… after stuffing those damn bell peppers into her face.My heart thuds harder against my ch
Ashley’s POV:“Peter? You…? Where is Ethan, we were supposed to leave for the press conference–”“That is exactly why I am here, Ashley. He suddenly had some extremely important work, and asked me to find a driver for you.”Peter interrupts the flow of my question with his words, but he doesn't make eye contact with me. His face is looking somewhat flustered, like he is trying to maintain his voice and keep something that might be troubling him to himself.Since I have started living with Ethan, Peter has also become like family, but this old fellow has a habit of staying quiet until it is extremely important to speak up…! Nevertheless, I know he cares for me just like he does for Ethan.“But… but he said that we would be going together.”The words leave my mouth in a whisper; low enough to not let me realize that I am saying something out loud, but loud enough for Peter to notice what is going on inside my brain.“Ashley.”He says, and I respond absent- mindedly,“Yes, Peter?”“Ethan
Ashley's POV:As I step into the conference hall, the atmosphere inside is filled with anticipation and energy buzzing in the air. Everything is already set by the time I arrive— there are polished wooden panels on the walls, rows upon rows of chairs are perfectly placed in perfect alignment, all facing the podium at the front.Set against the pristine white wall is a singular podium with a chair; there is just one name displayed on the chair, in front of the microphones. Ashley Waverly.I know that it's my name, that I am the face of the project, but it still feels so… unreal. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. This is it. The board of directors will all be seated in the front row, their eyes on me expecting me to deliver; now, it is on me to prove their judgement of me wrong. I peer out nervously from the side stage, my heart rate picking up as I scan the room. The rows are nearly full— journalists, industry insiders, and even some familiar faces are here. I wasn’t prepare
Ashley's POV:“Tell me? I am still waiting for your response to say something further.”Ethan roars again, walking through the aisle, towards me. As if his presence alone isn't imposing enough, he comes to a stop near the row where the man is seated and looks directly into his eyes, making the person feel much more uncomfortable.I can practically see the hackles rise along his spine as he gulps down his own saliva down his throat forcefully. Beads of cold sweat have started to appear on his forehead.“I-um… um… actually, I was… I was–”“Say it! What were you trying to say? Aren't you a reporter, whose task is to ask questions and give answers, too?”Ethan attacks him again; he is like a vicious lion who just won't let his prey escape, and the reporter gives him a pleading look, silently requesting to be spared, like a scared little goat.And while everyone else seems to be enjoying this drama, because apart from my interview about the project, they are going to have something much ju